Launch of a book about The Queen

On Wednesday 23 October, a book about The Queen was launched during a seminar at the Grand Hôtel focusing on female leadership.

The seminar began with a welcoming address by one of the book's initiators, Maud Olofsson. She spoke about the book, which will be published in November, and efforts to promote The Queen as a professional woman and a leader. "The Queen has given speeches about subjects such as paedophilia and human trafficking — subjects that we politicians have not always dared to deal with. This has raised awareness and attracted respect. When The Queen's mother was diagnosed with dementia, this resulted in a commitment that has meant a great deal to many people. During my time as a politician, many businesses have thanked The Queen for opening doors. The Queen is a model of female entrepreneurship at the very highest level. I believe that The Queen has a talent for seeing people who need to be given a little more attention. The Queen has been a source of great security and a role model for The Crown Princess. We would like to take this opportunity to thank The Queen for all the good work she does, and to commemorate her efforts with this book." Before presenting the book to The Queen, author Roger Lundgren spoke about writing the book. The copy presented to The Queen was a specially bound first edition.

Maud Olofsson presents the book to The Queen. Photo: Magnus Sandberg

A discussion was then held on stage, with the involvement of The Queen, Maud Olofsson, writer Barbro Dahlbom Hall, Chair of the Swedish Sports Confederation Karin Matsson Weijber, CEO of Företagarna Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist and Svenska Lantchips' Signhild Arnegård Hansen. Moderator Malou von Sivers began by asking The Queen about dealing with difficult issues regarding trafficking and vulnerable children. The Queen emphasised the importance of daring to speak about these issues, and spoke about various occasions on which she has been able to raise the matter of children's rights in her meetings with heads of state and with children. Malou von Sivers then brought up the issue of The Queen's leadership and the panel's thoughts on this. Barbro Dahlbom Hall, who has written several books about leadership, spoke against the background of her years spent working at the UN and around the world, explaining that The Queen's work is very much appreciated, and that this might not always be seen in Sweden. She then spoke about how The Queen is a shining example of female leadership, work on the principle that "this is wrong, we must fix it". Karin Mattsson Weijber mentioned The Queen's ability to have a presence, an underestimated leadership quality based on an ability to assimilate new information quickly. This is a characteristic of successful sporting leaders, who can often assimilate information quickly and be present in the moment. She said that The Queen's ability to have this presence all day long is an admirable quality. Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist emphasised The Queen's pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit. Today, many young entrepreneurs work in the same way that The Queen has worked for almost 40 years: "If no one else solves the problem, it's up to me to do it." This involves an ability to change things and achieve something new in one's own situation. Signhild Arnegård Hansen spoke about preparation as a foundation for good leadership. She cited the example of state visits, during which The Queen is well prepared and has done her research. The afternoon then concluded with a joint discussion on female versus male leadership, social norms and the characteristics that a good leader should have.